The name “90 Minute IPA” is derived from the brewing process used to make this particular beer. The term “IPA” stands for India Pale Ale, which is a hop-forward style of beer that originated in England in the 19th century.
The number “90” in the name refers to the length of time that the beer is hopped during the boiling phase of the brewing process. Hopping is the process of adding hops, which are flowers from the hop plant, to the beer. Hops contribute bitterness, flavor, and aroma to the beer.
During the boil, hops are typically added at different intervals to achieve the desired balance of bitterness and aroma. In the case of the 90 Minute IPA, hops are continuously added for a period of 90 minutes. This extended hopping process allows for a greater extraction of hop flavors and aromas, resulting in a beer that is intensely hoppy.
The prolonged hopping also contributes to the beer’s higher alcohol content. As the hops are boiled, their essential oils and alpha acids are released into the beer, which adds bitterness and helps to preserve the beer. The longer the hops are boiled, the more bitterness and hop character they impart to the beer.
It is worth noting that the 90 Minute IPA is not the only beer from Dogfish Head Brewery that employs this extended hopping technique. They also produce a 60 Minute IPA and a 120 Minute IPA, both of which are named after the length of time they are hopped during the boil.
The 60 Minute IPA is hopped for 60 minutes, resulting in a beer that is slightly less hoppy than the 90 Minute IPA but still retains a strong hop presence. It is a well-balanced and approachable IPA that showcases the flavors and aromas of the hops used.
On the other hand, the 120 Minute IPA takes the hopping process to an extreme. It is hopped for a whopping 120 minutes, resulting in a beer that is incredibly hop-forward and has a higher alcohol content than both the 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs. The 120 Minute IPA is known for its intense hop flavors, sweetness, and high alcohol warmth.
Another difference between the 60 Minute IPA and the other two beers is that the 60 Minute IPA is not dry hopped. Dry hopping is the process of adding hops to the beer after fermentation has completed. This technique enhances the beer’s hop aroma without adding significant bitterness. The 90 Minute and 120 Minute IPAs, on the other hand, undergo dry hopping, which further intensifies their hop character.
The name “90 Minute IPA” refers to the length of time that this beer is hopped during the boil. The extended hopping process allows for a greater extraction of hop flavors and aromas, resulting in a beer that is intensely hoppy and balanced. The 90 Minute IPA, along with the 60 Minute and 120 Minute IPAs, showcases Dogfish Head Brewery’s commitment to brewing hop-forward beers with unique and distinct characteristics.